Ah yes, we are continuing to branch out on this blog. First writing, then baby elephant videos, now…….
Music!
It’s ever the steady evolution.
Ahem. So. If you had to pick one. Just one. Just one song to listen to the rest of your life, your favorite song of all time, the one that speaks to you, the one that practically IS you, the one that you hold above all others.
Just one!!!
Which one is it?
I would have to go with……
“Little Eyes” by Yo La Tengo. No! “Star Witness” by Neko Case. No! “Non Je Regrette Rien” by Edith Piaf. No! “Oh Yoko” by John Lennon. No! “Georgia On My Mind” by Ray Charles.
As you can see the rules are a bit loose on this one. Let’s go with songS.
Nick says
Honestly it changes every so often.
If I had to go with just one song, though, I can think of only one song I could listen to again and again and again and again and not turn into the Joker — Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".
If multiple songs, give me a recording of Rigoletto with Pavarotti as the Duke of Mantua.
Andrea says
Jason Webley – ways to love
and
Nick Cave – the ship song
and
The Shins – kissing the lipless
okay, okay, this is hard.
Jessica Bell says
Wise Up, Aimee Mann! :o)
Watcher55 says
I could say “Desperado” by the Eagles but this isn’t a talking game it’s a writing games, so I have to go with “When You Say Nothing At All” by Keith Whitley – oh wait that’s saying something isn’t it? How about… “Little Lovin’” by Lissie – Naw, that’s my right now song. Oh wait – I know, “Blackwater” by the Doobie Brothers (I love the harmonizin’ at the end).
suzy vitello soulé says
Good timing, as it's just been announced that Bob Dylan inked a six-book deal with S&S!
My favorite tune is NOT a Dylan one (though many are in my top 50).
It's a tie: Leonard Cohen's Halleluah, or Beatles Here Comes the Sun
Laurel says
Crap. Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel? Wait, no. Beethoven's 9th? Light and Day by Polyphonic Spree.
Erm. This question is too hard. Pass.
Kissed by the Creator says
I agree with Nick, it does change depending on my mood or current state of drama in life. Praise You In This Storm by Casting Crowns seems to be the standby for Wicked hard times. Blue Chair by Kenny Chesney super for pondering Life. For partying? Def Leapord or Scorpions bring back the College days. For word people. ONE song? Tough Assignment.
Anonymous says
Using what criteria? The song I listen to more than any other? The song I most respect for its musicality/lyrics? The song that best represents who I am?
I'm going to go with "Stand by Me" by Ben E. King because of the sentimentality attached. It's a song that immediately takes me back to a golden time in my life. It's summer in the mid 80s, I'm 17, and I can do absolutely anything with the greatest friends in the universe.
Jennifer Hoffine says
For me, it's, "Only the Good Die Young" by Billy Joel.
Katt says
I'm cheating and going with an entire sound track. Yentl (Streisand)
Martin Rose says
"Eye of the Tiger." I like to jog about the house and then finish with a glorious flourish in front of the blank computer screen just before I start a project.
Not really. But it's the first thing that popped in my head when I read the post.
Michele Stefanides says
This is not as tough for me as those who know me might think. Although I have a written-down list of my favorite songs, which now approaches a dozen or so, I can easily say that my most favorite song of all time is "MacAruthur Park" by Richard Harris. Yes, really. I have never met another soul who comes anywhere near liking it. The closest I've seen is the least amount of hate. I have no idea why I love it so much, the lyrics make no sense. But if I were stuck on a desert island and had room for only one song on my iPod, this would be it. I'm afraid to learn what that says about me.
Jonc says
The Church's "Under the Milky Way". An absolutely gorgeous song and a reminder of some of the happiest times of my teen years.
Carolyn says
Dusty Springfield, Son of a Preacher Man.
It's been my favorite going on forever. I was so irritated when Pulp Fiction came along and then everybody liked it.
Wendy Paine Miller says
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes by Paul Simon.
Over and over and over again!
~ Wendy
Elle says
I've been lurking (and learning lots) for a while on this blog, but it finally takes a music post to make me comment…
If I honestly could only have one single song that sums me up, which I never tire of hearing, I guess it would have to be 'Sometimes' by James (a mainly '90s British band). The lyrics are amazing. If you've never heard it, go type it into YouTube.
But if I get more than one? Argh. 'Landed' by Ben Folds. 'Fields of Gold' by Sting. 'When You Come Back Down' by Nickel Creek, which always makes me cry. 'Butterflies and Hurricanes' by Muse. Yeah. The list is potentially endless.
Joseph L. Selby says
KoRn – "Twist"
Katie Mills says
'honey came in and she caught me red handed, creepin with the girl next door…'
I'm Stephanie says
I can think of two right off the top of my head: "Bed of Roses" by Bon Jovi and "Black Velvet" by Alannah Myles.
I'm an 80's music junkie!
Becca says
Honestly it's hard to pick because it changes so often and for different reasons.
But right now, I think I would have to say "Vampire Money" by My Chemical Romance. It's upbeat, crazy, full of awesome guitar playing, and totally makes fun of the whole vampire trend that's going on right now.
Gretchen says
I've been trying to come up with my top ten of all time for a while now. I've only figured it out through #4.
1) Into the Mystic – Van Morrison
2) Bad – U2
3) Imagine – John Lennon
4) Cocoon – Jack Johnson
Carolyn Abiad says
I listen to a lot of different music, but my fav is always Every Breath You Take, Sting. Although, since I'm querying right now, Message in A Bottle seems more appropriate. 😉
Ada says
Oh gosh, I don't know. Love Elton John's "Tiny Dancer," and Leonard Cohen's "Bird on the Wire" AND . . . "Send in the Clowns" from "A Little Night Music." Or, or ,or . . .
Kelly says
I can't choose one!
Unholy Confessions by Avenged Sevenfold. Best opening guitar riff ever.
Famous Last Words by My Chemical Romance, To Be Loved by Papa Roach and Somebody Told Me by the Killers.
So hard, I love music so much!
swampfox says
It seems I'm one of the very few rockers around here. My all time favorite song is Fairies Wear Boots, by Black Sabbath. Followed very closely by Lord of this World, by Black Sabbath.
But there are so many great songs by so many great artists. This list would be a long one, really.
BTW, I do like Beethoven, Wagner, and Mozart, too.
Deanne Williams says
You've got a friend – James Taylor
Stephanie@thecrackedslipper says
CSNY "Southern Cross"
or possibly Allman Brothers "Midnight Rider"
…longing, angst, mistakes made…I love me some brooding southern rockers…
Oh, and "The Humpty Dance" is an underrated classic 🙂
See Elle Oh says
Ooh, way to get my brain working early in the…er…mid-morning. I'm going with:
Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock"
Simon & Garfunkel's "Slip Slidin' Away"
Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls"
Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Hard to Concentrate"
Stopping now, or I'll be at this all day.
Mimm says
Right now? Today? Peter Gabriel's "Book of Love".
Rick Daley says
I may be stretching the limits of what constitutes a song, but my first pick would be"
Beethoven's 9th.
If I had to get more specific, I choose the 2nd movement. I think it's one of the most powerful pieces of music ever composed.
After that…
Comfortably Numb- Pink Floyd. One of the best guitar solos ever.
Piano Man- Billy Joel. Always fun to sing along.
The Devil Went Down to Georgia- Charlie Daniels. My first favorite song. I remember spinning that 45 repeatedly as a kid, a great mix of music and story.
Dave Symonds says
I wasn't really into music until 8th grade when I heard Dave Matthew Band's "What Would You Say" and I thought, how the heck is he doing that?!?! It was all downhill from there.
Close seconds: Under the Bridge, by RHCP, Everlong by Foo Fighters, and any song by Michael Jackson that makes you shake your buns (read: all of them).
Maureen says
My immediate choice is:
"The Long and Winding Road" by the Beatles.
But reading the selections of other I will add Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".
Both are beautiful, meaningful songs.
Debbie says
Only one? "Ordinary Day" by Great Big Sea.
Multiples and I can't have any more GBS songs? "Hallelujah" sung by Rufus Wainwright. "9th and Hennepin" by Tom Waits. "In My Life" by the Beatles. "My Funny Valentine" by Chet Baker.
Hard to keep it that short. I have 5,131 songs on my iPod and like many more that aren't on it yet.
Hey, at least hoarding music on an iPod doesn't take up much space in the house.
L.A. Colvin says
I have a wide range of fav songs and they change depending on my mood. However there is one song that no matter what mood I'm in I can listen to for hours.
"Sitting on The Dock of the Bay"
by Otis Redding
It's even one of my ringtones on my phone.
Sherri says
Megadeth, Holy Wars. Haven't gotten tired of it yet. So many others across genres, but that's the one I always go back to.
Transparent Mama says
"Your Song" by Elton John from the Live In Australia album.
Munk Davis says
Impossible question. But okay, assuming that I'm neurotic enough to listen to a song overandoverandoverand… No I couldn't, variety is the spice of life.
Caroline says
I'm cheating and choosing an entire soundtrack, too. It's seamless, so it's pretty much one song, and it goes with EVERYTHING!
The Edward Scissorhands score by Danny Elfman!
It's perfect writing music for my WIP.
Honorary mentions:
Stardust (Hoagy Carmichael)
Everlong (Foo Fighters)
Daphnis et Chloe (Ravel)
Scheherazade (Rimsky-Korsakov)
Man of Constant Sorrow (Soggy Bottom Boys)
Vertigo score (Bernard Hermann)
Charissa Weaks says
This is in no way even remotely possible for me…I blog about writing and music too, but like the books I read, my music choices are just as diverse. Led Zeppelin..Over The Hill And Far Away…The Bee Gees…Tragedy…Knights of Cydonia by Muse…Hollywood Bowl by Band of Skulls…I have to quit now…this will be the longest comment EVER….
Juliana says
I'd have to go classical and pick a piece by Rachmaninoff. Is it weird that I'm a writer but love music most when it doesn't have words?
Hmm…
Hilary says
Thumbs up on the "Star Witness," that was thisclose to being mine. But I have to go with "Queen Jane Approximately."
Amy says
I never Loved Eva Braun by The Boomtown Rats.
JES says
I hope you know you're gonna have to make up a playlist for us of all these suggestions, Nathan.
Surprised by all the vocal music selected. The one criterion which messes this up for me is, "Just one song to listen to the rest of your life." Egad. I'd get sick of ANY vocal if I had to listen to just it the rest of my life. (Er, assuming I don't die in the next 3 minutes.)
On that basis, I'd probably pick something totally instrumental and multi-layered. Some kind of "thought music."
Maybe something, almost anything, by Explosions in the Sky???
Favorite song, though, might be the Beatles' "In My Life."
Anonymous says
It's Raining Men, by the Weather Girls
hollywoodclown says
"Photograph"by Def Leppard.
Anonymous says
The 1812 Overture by the Boston Symphony.
Jayme Stryker says
I grew up on radio (no TV allowed in my parents' house), so choosing only one song would be one of the circles of Hell if I were to rewrite the Inferno.
Joy to the World – Three Dog Night
Bullet with Butterfly Wings – Smashing Pumpkins
The 1812 Overture
The Indiana Jones Theme Song
Living on a Prayer – Bon Jovi
Little Black Backpack – Stroke 9
Yeah, I'll never be able pick just one…
Watcher55 says
If I had to pick any one instrumental it would be any of the four from YES – "Tales From Topographic Oceans".
Deni Krueger says
Where the Streets Have No Name by U2
Mira says
Fun, but challenging topic. 🙂
The music that most speaks to my soul is Samuel Barber's Adiago for Strings.
For music with lyrics, "Stardust" is so beautifully crafted and "My Way" hits the nail on the head for me.
But I can't shake the feeling that I'm forgetting something important…. 🙂
Whoever said MacArthur Park – I love that song, too. 🙂